The Changing Politics of Evangelicals

It is increasingly obvious that the unified front that the Religious Right once presented to the world is fractured and has fallen into a variety of pieces. Chuck Colson, one of the most intelligent and effective spokespersons for that powerful bloc of Evangelical voters that so faithfully delivered elections into the hands of the Republican Party, has been claiming otherwise. But with Pat Robertson endorsing Rudy Giuliani; most Southern Baptist leaders find their flag bearer in Mike Huckabee; Bob Jones, Jr. endorsing Matt Romey; and the late Jerry Falwell having blessed John McCain at the last graduation at his Liberty University; it is clear that the Religious Right has become fragmented in its political allegiances. Furthermore, all of Karl Rove's horses and Jim Dobson's men are not likely to be able to put that once unified bloc together again.

Perhaps, if Hillary Clinton gets the nod from the Democratic Party, this dynamic woman, often defined by "Christian radio" as a common enemy of the Religious Right, will bring the increasingly diverse segments of this conservative movement together for the general election. That is, of course, if someone other than Rudy Giuliani gets the nomination for the Republican Party. If Rudy gets the nomination, it is significant that Paul Wyrich, co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, has declared that he is likely to support Hillary, should she be the Democrat's nominee. He has said that Hillary, while not wanting to make abortions illegal, really wants to make them rare; while Rudy has lent support to pro-abortion advocates. Furthermore, while Hillary wants gays and lesbians to have legal rights that go with civil unions, she does not want to legitimate these unions as marriages. Rudy, on the other hand, when mayor of New York, supported legitimating gay marriage. Thus, Wyrich finds Hillary to be the most pro-family of the two.

While the Religious Right is politically fracturing on the one hand, politically progressive Evangelicals, on the other hand, are showing signs of becoming increasingly unified. If we consider Brian McLaren, a primary spokesperson for the Emerging Church movement; Jim Wallis of the Call to Renewal movement; Ron Sider of Evangelicals for Social Action; Richard Rohr of the Center for Action and Contemplation; and Shane Clairborne of the Simple Way movement; we will find among these politically progressive leaders an increasing oneness. They are formally coming together under the designation of being Red Letter Christians. This is a label that they adopted from a secular Jewish country and western disc jockey in Nashville, Tennessee, who said, "You guys are into those red letters in the Bible."

Moving beyond the "hot button" issues of abortion and gay marriage (neither of which are referred to in the red letters of the New Testament), these politically progressive Evangelicals also advocate concerns for the environment, peace in Iraq, an end to religious persecution, and, especially, a commitment to end world poverty.

These Red Letter Christians are likely to play a significant role in the upcoming 2008 elections. For the most part, they show preferences for Clinton, Obama and Edwards over any of the candidates that the Republicans have to offer. While most Evangelicals will still go for Republican candidates, it is possible that Red Letter Christians will be able to peel away enough Evangelical votes to swing the next election.

Stay on the lookout for this new movement. It has a great appeal to a great many of the younger Evangelicals who, while still pro-life and questioning gay marriage, want to embrace the broader agenda espoused by Red Letter Christians.

These younger evangelicals may not necessarily vote Democratic, but they certainly are no longer safely in the pocket of the Republican Party. Instead, they are prone to declare with Red Letter Christians that Jesus is neither a Democrat nor a Republican. When asked about party affiliation, they are likely to say, "Cite the issue." On some issues they will go with one party and on some issues they will go with the other.

With that kind of flexibility, those Evangelicals who call themselves Red Letter Christians will be increasingly politically unpredictable. It is hard to say what the future holds, but this is probable--it won't be just like the past.

Comments

[PulSamsara]

"What would Jesus Do ?"

I believe that's a fair question and the question that I hope every Christian thinks and prays on. Seek truth with honesty.

[nunzia]

I wouldn't place my faith (excuse the expression) on young evangelicals. Anyone stupid enough to buy into all that b.s. isn't going to make very many intelligent decisions, politically or otherwise.

[Lisette]

Please don't try to whitewash evangelicals.

Let them confine their opinions to their churches and stay out of politics.

Politics is not where they belong at all.

The 1st Ammendant guanantees freedom of religion AND FREEDOM FROM RELIGION.

So I am not interested in their personal growth.

Since they entered politics we have become very divided and bellicose.

So no thanks.

[JimReed]

Tony,

They are conerned about those many different issues that you speak of, but I think if Jesus was here to talk to us he would tell us he was concerned about us as the superpower choosing war. In the current presidential race, all GOP candidates except Paul think our preemptive attack on Iraq was the right thing to do even though they were not a threat, and even though they were not building WMDs. It seems like the major reason those candidates are taking that approach is they want to appeal to Christians. That also seems to be the reason they act not too concerned about us becoming involved in torture. I can see why they would take this approach, it is probably based on the exit polls of the elections that have put us in this position.

I grew up in a Christian environment in the 50's, and back then I never would have imagined this would end up the legacy of Christianity. I don't think anybody back then would. But this is where we find ourselves, and this is what we must deal with. If you want to do something to help, help Christians understand choosing preemptive war is wrong. WWJD.

[ProAmericanLobbyist]

Its good news to hear about Red Letter Christians.

The Christian Right, CR, are not followers of Jesus. By their Fruits ye shall know them.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace, not of War!

The Leaders of the CR have led their flock to damNation.

RLC are a Blessing!

[Malkintent]

Democrats trying to woo the religious right is pure suicide. This is like the 20th article I've read with this basic meme, yet the fundamentalists I know wouldn't vote Democratic at gunpoint--they wouldn't before and they won't now. Trying to court them will only alienate secular voters, who are the fastest growing portion of the public.

[Qbear]

"all of Karl Rove's horses and Jim Dobson's men are not likely to be able to put that once unified bloc together again."

from your mouth to God's ear

I remain skeptical that the fire breathing anti-gay evangelicals are in the last throes YET.
The hypocricy of Ted Haggard, Donnie McClurkin, Karl Rove, Ken Mehlman, Larry Craig, Mitch McConnell, Mark Foley, Lindsey
Graham, Patrick McHenry, David Dreier, Charlie Christ who want to spit on gays/lesbians with 13 anti gay initiatives in battle ground States in 2004 from their own Closets...is being seen by young evangelicals.
It will take another decade for older evangelicals to die off, and the yonger evangelicals to become prominate for this bigotry to end.

[letsgetsmart]

There are still way to many people in this country that say proudly that they are going to vote republican because their families have always voted republican. This is just an admission that they haven't a clue about what has been going on politically for decades and don't want to know. Lazy is still the number one thing wrong with our political process. Some minister or pastor tells his flock to vote one way and they just line up. Our education system needs a big improvement in civic duties. Maybe we should have a mandatory public service of two years so everyone has to open their eyes to what being a good citizen means. An ostrich with its head in the sand doesn't count.

[indycar]

DC Talk (Christian band) also has a popular song 'Red Letters' referring to the words of Jesus in the Bible.

What many of us "Red Letter" Christians find so appalling about the Christian Right is their focus on two issues to the exclusion of all other morals and principles. We are sickened when they (the christian right)look the other way at the lying, stealing, womanizing / menizing and unethical behaviors that their elected chosen participate in. For the CR, a standing on the hot button issues is all that is required for endorsement.

Perhaps just as complexing to RL Christians is the fashion in which the CR Christians exclude the hot button 'practice-rs' from their own congregations - all the while ignoring the far more prevailing sins in their own ranks and pews.

RLC recognize that we too fall short. We don't rank sin, nor are we delusioned into thinking that we are sinless, or that our sins grieve God more or less than any other sin.

[realpolitic]

It is refreshing evangelicals are finally beginning to move beyond the hot button issues of abortion and gay marriage to embrace the larger meaning of Jesus' message of compassion and concern for the poor and the suffering. Perhaps they are changing slightly from their traditional message of individual morality to social responsibility and change.